This is a redo of a previous blog I wrote about the security issues inside Afghanistan. I initially used personal accounts to paint a picture of the problems I witnessed during my military tour in 2005. However, with President Trump’s most recent speech laying out a potential shift in American Afghan policy, I felt compelled to update the article reflecting on his words and what is being said “in-between the lines.”

Here we go…

By the end of 2004, the conflict in Afghanistan was already three years old. I had just arrived in the country to start a six-month tour running the Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) program …the military plan to counter road side bombs. The program was relatively new at the time and still experiencing some early challenges. In fact, it only took three days before I witnessed the first casualties from an IED…two U.S. Special Forces soldiers lost their lives and one seriously injured in the Konar province along the Pakistan border.

Konar was the most dangerous province in the country and had a reputation for prolific IED strikes, we called it “IED alley.” Losing two Americans had an immediate effect on me…I was determined to make sure this did not happen again. So, I gathered every piece of intelligence I could and researched every aspect of the enemy. I studied their habits, their procedures, and their lifestyles but mostly, their IED tactics. Within weeks I knew everything about the bad guys. Who they were, their families, their friends, how they made IEDs, and where they were produced. But, more importantly, their habits and how to exploit their weaknesses.

I had everything I needed to defeat the threat. The only problem was the enemy was in Pakistan.

Much has been written on North Korea and its infamous leader Kim Jong-un. He has proven to be an unstable, brutal and erratic dictator whose pension for control, power, and attention could be enough to push him over the nuclear weapon’s edge. The problem is a nuclear attack by North Korea, on anyone, would be a disastrous event that would involve more than just North Korea and their target, it would affect the whole region and drag much of the world into a conflict…literally, a global event.

Understanding this, how do we curb the North Korean leader’s ambitions? In what manner do we convince a young, inexperienced, power hungry, and closed-minded narcissist to stop? Do we encourage him, pamper him, or sanction him into submission? Or is it better to threaten him?

Well, we do have President Trump. A new face to geopolitics and handling rogue nations. Yet, Trump’s most recent rhetoric seems cartoonish in nature, much like we hear from other closed and oppressive societies…aka Iran, Venezuela, or Cuba…not a sophisticated U.S. Further, if you ask any seasoned diplomat they would say Trump’s rhetoric is downright dangerous…but is it?

Is tough rhetoric what Kim Jong-un needs? A language he understands? A threat that is straight forward and more importantly from an American president whose history of “what he says” is “what he does.” Maybe this is just what the doctor ordered? In other words, “fight fire with fire.”

And, more importantly, is there more to this tough rhetoric and is it really meant for someone else?

The Russian investigation is examining possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian officials. Specifically, accusing them of working with Russian agents during the 2016 election in order to influence its outcome.

As you can imagine, the political battle lines have been drawn. On one side, a vengeful left sees treasonous blood in the water and is grasping at anything to damage the president. While on the other side, a concerned right is countering with hearsay and hoping it just fades away.

As the investigation proceeds, the vindictive hatred for the President is bringing out the worst in us, reaching epic nonsensical proportions. Congressmen and the media are relentless, talking about criminal actions, conspiracies, and impeachment. It is producing a carnival-like atmosphere consuming everyone’s time and effort.

However, hidden in the middle of these seditious plots and circus-like actions are very concerning issues. Issues, that if not addressed, will shake the very foundation of our nation and its’ citizens.

The real tragedy here is the total disregard for civil liberties and our national security.

President Trump supports a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un

America and especially a virile left media are having trouble understanding the last few weeks of President Trump and U.S. foreign relations. Earlier in May, the President answered a reporter’s question who asked if he would meet the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The President’s comment went viral after he replied, in part, “I would be honored to meet with him.” His poor choice of words quickly bubbled to the top of media headlines as they condemned the president for his apparent praise of the barbaric despot and an enemy of the U.S.

President Trump meets with Russian Foreign Minster Igor Ivanov in the White House to exchange critical information on ISIS and threats to aviation

And adding more fuel to the foreign relations fire, the President met last week with the Russian foreign minister and ambassador where they exchanged supposed sensitive security information. The Russian meeting harkened quick criticism, but this time from both the left and right. Many were outraged that the president would release such information to a declared adversary?

However, what was missed was the significance of each exchange.

President Trump could be the first U.S. president to meet with a North Korean leader, unprecedented. And at a time when North Korean hostilities and nuclear provocation are at its height. Additionally, Trump’s desire for a relationship with Russia is on the heels of its Crimean annexation, involvement with another despot Bashar Assad of Syria and the fact that Russian foreign relations are degenerating back to Cold War behavior.

Each situation does beg the question of why. Why would President Trump meet a declared or better put, labeled enemy and adversary. And as every media pundit has pontificated, how can this be good for America?

It appears that the president is dangerously mishandling our foreign relations? Or is he?

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This is a redo of a previous blog I wrote about the security issues inside Afghanistan. I initially used personal accounts to paint a picture of the problems I witnessed during my military tour in 2005. However, with President Trump’s most recent speech laying out a potential shift in American Afghan policy, I felt compelled to […]